Life Seat

ABSTRACT

The Life Seat is an invention that is designed as a personal floatation device that has the ability to also function as a camp chair. This invention is based off the design of a Type III personal floatation device which can be worn like a vest. In order to convert this device into a camp chair, a seat, which is secured by straps that secure it in one of two possible positions can be folded down from the inside of the lower back section of the personal floatation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to reduce the amount of equipment that isrecommended for certain outdoor recreational activities by combining thefunctions of two of them. A personal floatation device is a necessityfor any recreational activity that is conducted on the water, such askayaking, fishing, sailing, etc. A camp chair is a piece of equipmentthat is very commonly used in association with these same outdoorrecreational activities. One goal often associated with this field ofactivity is in lightweight, minimalist equipment. Both a personalfloatation device and a camp chair are large, bulky items that are oftendifficult to pack and utilize effectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By designing a personal floatation device that doubles as a camp chair,the amount of equipment needed to conduct many outdoor recreationalactivities is greatly reduced. In addition to this, the design of thecamp chair was created in order to maximize the comfort of the user. Theaddition of the camp chair function to this “Life Seat” device will inno way inhibit the full functionality and safety considerations of thepersonal floatation function that this device will achieve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: front, offset perspective view of the closed life seat in itswearable ‘vest style’ personal floatation device configuration.

FIG. 2: front perspective view of the opened life seat. Deployable seatcan be viewed in its undeployed position on the inside of the lower backpiece.

FIG. 3: back perspective view of the undeployed life seat. The strapssecuring the undeployed seat can be seen reaching and clasping to theoutside of the back of the device.

FIG. 4: front offset perspective view of the deployed seat of theinvention. The seat can be seen to be folded down and the strap securingit in place can be observed. The front pieces of the ‘vest’ are openedup to allow for the deployment of the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This combination of a personal floatation device and a camp chair cantake several different configurations and designs. The design of thelife jacket will fit the conventional configuration that is generallyconsidered to be type III personal floatation device, usually used forrecreational activities (FIG. 1). The life seat will have a foldableseat, made with the same materials from which the rest of the personalfloatation device is constructed: a rigid, buoyant foam. The seat willfold down from the inside of the vest, where the user's lower back willbe when the life seat is worn like a vest. The crease which the seatwill fold on will hinge from the bottom edge of the back of the personalfloatation device (FIG. 2). When the seat is not deployed, and the lifeseat is worn like a vest, the seat will be secured to the back of thepersonal floatation device by straps that clasp to the outside (FIG. 3).When the seat is deployed, the securing straps are unclipped, the seatwill fold down, and the straps are reclipped in the area of the armpitof the vest, which will secure the seat in its deployed position (FIG.4).

To make this invention, a generic type III personal floatation devicecan be modified. To do this, the seat piece can be attached along thebottom edge of the back of the device, and the straps that secure it ineither position can be sewn into place on the outside of the back aswell as on the seat itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: front, offset perspective view of the closed life seat in itswearable ‘vest style’ personal floatation device configuration.

FIG. 2: front perspective view of the opened life seat. Deployable seatcan be viewed in its undeployed position on the inside of the lower backpiece.

FIG. 3: back perspective view of the undeployed life seat. The strapssecuring the undeployed seat can be seen reaching and clasping to theoutside of the back of the device.

FIG. 4: front offset perspective view of the deployed seat of theinvention. The seat can be seen to be folded down and the strap securingit in place can be observed. The front pieces of the ‘vest’ are openedup to allow for the deployment of the seat.

DRAWINGS

1. The subject matter for which this patent claims consists of anyinvention which combines a personal floatation device with a camp chairas a single piece of equipment through the deployment of a foldable seatwhich folds off the personal floatation device.